Impro Neuf is a student organization and the biggest and most inclusive improv community in Europe. We offer a wide range of improv workshops, events, and shows both in Norwegian and English.
History of Impro Neuf
2005 - 2011: The Beginning and Teater Liksom
The predecessor to Impro Neuf is believed to have been established around 2005 under the name "Mandagsimpro" (Monday Improv), as a subgroup of Teater Neuf. The group's activities involved organizing weekly meetups to practice improvised theater. In 2006/2007, Impro Neuf was led by Mats Eldøen and Simen Hovd, who later became key figures at Det Andre Teatret (The Other Theater). Along with another future central figure, Nils Petter Mørland, they founded a new subgroup of Teater Neuf in 2007 called "Teater Liksom." Teater Liksom organized Micetro for many years and experimented with formats like "Life Game" before moving in 2011, popcorn machine in tow, to their new home, Det Andre Teatret.
2011 - 2013: Mandagsimpro and Onsdagsimpro
Although Teater Liksom attracted the majority of the improv community to Det Andre Teatret, Mandagsimpro continued its weekly sessions at Chateau Neuf. Leadership, names, and meeting days changed frequently during this period:
- 2011-2012: Felicia Batt-Rawden (Mandagsimpro)
- 2012-2013: Ingrid Wester Amundsen (Onsdagsimpro)
2013 - 2015: Impro Neuf Takes Shape
The group typically had around 10-15 active members and a high turnover rate until January 2014, when they started organizing monthly shows featuring a modified version of Gorilla Theater alongside their weekly workshops. From then on, the group grew rapidly, with more frequent shows and an increasing number of active members. The name Impro Neuf emerged during the 2013/2014 transition period, coinciding with the group's first show in Lillesalen. During this time, the group was led by:
- 2013-2014: Vebjørn Tveiterås (Torsdagsimpro / Impro Neuf)
- 2014-2015: Tord Bjørnevaagen Brandsæter
2015 - Present: Impro Neuf
On May 10, 2015, a general meeting decided that Impro Neuf would establish its own board. The decision was made through a vote. A new board is elected at the annual general meeting. With the board came a permanent ensemble and more frequent performances. In October 2016, the group separated from Teater Neuf and became an independent organization. The board has had the following compositions:
- 2015-2016: Terje Brevik (leader), Sverre Breian, and Tord Bjørnevaagen Brandsæter
- 2016-2017: Terje Brevik (leader), Sverre Breian, and Marie Folkeson
2015 - Present: Impro Neuf International
In 2015, Aree Witoelar initiated the creation of a subgroup, Impro Neuf International, which conducts weekly English-language improv sessions. At the same time, he also started the English-speaking improv group Speakeasy, focusing on long-form improv. Since autumn 2016, Impro Neuf International has performed at Henriken under the name The Improv Speakeasy.
2017 - Present: Impro Neuf Presents...
At the board’s request, Harald Wille Jordheim established a subgroup of Impro Neuf in 2017, focusing on musical improv. This group performs monthly shows at Teaterkjellern and includes members from the ensemble as well as external groups.
- 2017 - Present: Harald Wille Jordheim
2017: Impro Neuf Presents Oslo Impro Festival
In the fall of 2017, Impro Neuf organized Oslo and Norway's first improv festival, initiated by Terje Brevik. The festival board consisted of Terje Brevik (leader), Marie Folkeson, Arne Marius Ditlevsen, Kristine Sterud, Sverre Breian, and Liban Gulaid. The festival took place from November 2-5, 2017, at Chateau Neuf and included three days of performances and two days of workshops. The official program featured 21 teams and a 12-hour improv marathon in Lillesalen, which was also streamed live on improneuf.no. The festival invited Stacey Smith (ImprovBoston and iO Theater), Craig Uhlir (iO Theater), Shawn Kinley (The Loose Moose Theater Company), and Will Hines (UCB Los Angeles). Unfortunately, Will Hines canceled a week before the festival.